SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM STATEMENT
Super Aguri Formula One Team has today announced its withdrawal
from the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Participating in Formula One since the 2006 season, the Team,
which scored its first championship points after only 22 races
(Spanish Grand Prix, 2007) and finished ninth overall in the
2007 Constructors’ Championship, will cease all activities
as of 6th May 2008.
Aguri Suzuki, Team Principal, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM
“In order to realize my dream to become an owner of
a Formula One Team, I applied for a grid position in the FIA
Formula One World Championship in November 2005. Since then,
I have participated in the championship for 2 years and 4
months as the SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM, but regretfully I must
inform you that the team will be ceasing its racing activities
as of today.
The team has competed against the many car manufacturer backed
teams and has succeeded in obtaining the first points after
only the 22nd race finishing in 9th place overall in the 2007
Constructors’ Championship. However, the breach of contract
by the promised partner SS United Oil & Gas Company resulted
in the loss of financial backing and immediately put the team
into financial difficulties. Also, the change in direction
of the environment surrounding the team, in terms of the use
of customer chassis, has affected our ability to find partners.
Meanwhile, with the help of Honda, we have somehow managed
to keep the team going, but we find it difficult to establish
a way to continue the activities in the future within the
environment surrounding F1 and as a result, I have concluded
to withdraw from the Championship.
I would like to express my deepest thanks to Honda, Bridgestone,
the sponsors, all the people who have given us advise during
various situations over the past couple of years all the Team
Staff who have kept their motivations high and always done
their best, Anthony Davidson who has always pushed to the
limit despite the very difficult conditions, Takuma Sato who
has been with us from the very start and has always fought
hard and led the team and lastly our fans from all over the
world who have loyally supported the SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM.”
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